Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Coos Bay, OR: $91,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Coos Bay, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $91,619 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coos Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $89,297 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($126,549) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduate registered nurses embarking on their careers in Coos Bay, Oregon, can expect an entry-level salary around $91,619 in 2026, marking a solid starting point in the healthcare field. While this figure represents the lower tenth percentile, it still provides a substantial foothold in comparison to the city's median registered nurse salary of $126,549. As new graduates gain experience, they can realistically anticipate their compensation to rise steadily from this initial salary, with a growth trajectory leading them toward the 25th percentile at $108,919 and eventually to the median. Coos Bay's current job market presents favorable conditions for new RNs, particularly in light of the projected annual growth rate of 5.31% over the next several years, which reflects ongoing demand for skilled nursing professionals in the region.
About the Coos Bay Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($111,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coos Bay
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coos Bay
Entry-level registered nurses in Coos Bay, OR typically start between $91,619 and $108,919 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $80,708 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $126,549 — 23.19% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Oregon of $65,000 represents just 70.95% of the starting registered nurse pay ($91,619/year) in Coos Bay. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACEN- and CCNE-accredited nursing programs and state board of nursing data. Tuition varies significantly between community college ADN, public university BSN, and private university BSN pathways.
RN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Coos Bay
- 1Research the Coos Bay market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $91,619 to $108,919, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Coos Bay, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Coos Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coos Bay's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Registered Nurse Compensation Range
The registered nurse wage spread in Coos Bay is $80,708 ( 88.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $91,619, experienced hygienists can earn up to $172,327.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$65,722
2025 BLS Actual
$86,999
2026 Current Est.
$91,619
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Coos Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,722 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,401 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,023 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,295 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,412 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,852 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,999 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,484 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Coos Bay, OR grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $65,722 in 2019 to $86,999 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $96,484. New graduates entering the Coos Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coos Bay metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Coos Bay
In Coos Bay, several healthcare institutions actively recruit new nursing graduates, including larger hospital systems that frequently offer residency programs that enable early-career nurses to develop their clinical skills through rotations in various departments such as the ICU and emergency services. Community hospitals may provide quicker cross-training opportunities, facilitating the transition into various nursing specialties. Holding an active RN license along with an Associate's or Bachelor’s degree is essential, with advanced credentials like specialty certifications from the AACN or other organizations potentially increasing starting salaries. As many positions may offer shift differentials, nurses who are available for nights or weekends can sometimes command higher pay rates, further enhancing their earning potential. Realistic salary growth expectations for early-career nurses in this market suggest a gradual increase in income as they advance in their roles and gain experience, positioning them well within the evolving healthcare landscape in Coos Bay, OR.
More salary data for Coos Bay, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Coos Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Coos Bay is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov